Putin expands energy and trade ties with Global South amid Ukraine war
Vladimir Putin met 18 leaders in Bishkek, Vladivostok and New Delhi, focusing on fuel, trade and transit cooperation with major Global South countries.
Over the past two weeks, President Vladimir Putin conducted a high-profile diplomatic push, meeting roughly 18 heads of state across Bishkek, Vladivostok and New Delhi. The discussions, which included leaders such as Narendra Modi, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and To Lam, prioritized fuel security, trade expansion and new transit links rather than the Ukraine war itself. Russia is seeking to offset refinery damage from Ukrainian attacks by importing refined products from partners like Belarus, Turkey and India, while pushing projects such as the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline to China and a strategic oil reserve hub in Vietnam.
The Kremlin also highlighted cooperation on nuclear power and promoted the International North-South Transport Corridor and the Northern Sea Route to diversify logistics. The tour yielded $7.7 billion in investment commitments in Vladivostok and reinforced Russia’s ties within BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, signaling Moscow’s strategy to counter Western isolation.
Why it matters
The outreach shows how Russia is reshaping its economic and strategic partnerships to survive sanctions and sustain its war effort.
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